KWP Fun Run Race Series
Week – 3
Don’t let anyone tell you that Burleigh Falls gets easier as the water drops. With a week full of hot weather and no rain we have slowly seen the water level drop at Burleigh Falls over the last 3 weeks. Not to worry though as there is still plenty of challenging whitewater to run, the water temp is great and who doesn’t want to get on the water after a long day at the office.
Well 32 paddlers wanted to get on the water on Wednesday night. Levels were still holding with one dam open enough for paddlers to get a good ride. The rapids down to the falls left little to the imagination, however they were excellent for new paddlers to dial in skills. The falls was a great level for new paddlers to step up and run laps over it if they wanted, which many did.
The river left chute was a different story. Low water makes it steep and narrow with not much room for error as Bryan B and Rob K found out. Both on the video. A challenging piece of whitewater at this level a few brave soles step up and tackled it before the night as done.
Another high point of the night was the left channel (other side of the locks) was high enough to run Wednesday might so a posse of 27 paddlers head over to that chute to run the dam and 2 rapids. A nice change from the usual Fun Run Race nights. Then it was back to the house to set up the event.
Wednesday night event was Beach Ball Boater Cross. Teams of 2 paddlers had one beach ball between them. The idea is to get you, your partner and the ball to the bottom first. The whole time down you can try to hit other paddlers beach balls of course while they do the same. Teams had several strategies on how to get down the rapids in tact, some worked and some did not. 24 paddlers, 12 teams lined up at the starting line. A mass start and it was hard to tell who was in the lead, balls and boats everywhere. By the time they got to the bottom it was much easier to tell who was in the lead. Zack first over the falls with his boat forgot about his partner Laura who was still back in the pack and ended up watching other teams come over the falls with ball in tow and raft up. Isaac and Brett were first down followed by Ben and Haley. Sue and Todd were very gunning for a top three finish before there ball got knocked up on shore and they had to retrieve it. Other teams rounded out the mid pack while other teams got a head of their beach ball and were unable to keep it in front of them thus losing it in a hole or eddy and having to wait at the bottom for it to catch up. In the end a great event that got everyone out paddling. Final results of Week – 3 race are below.
- Isaac & Brett
- Ben & Haley
- Derek & Arun
- Jacob & Clivee
- Matt & Darryl
- Zack & Laura
- Jake & Sara
- Farmer & Brett
- Jac & Leah
- Tom & Terry
- Sue & Todd
- Marcie & Rick
So after Week 3 the overall standings are starting to take shape. Zack’s 6th place finish didn’t help him much this week and allowed Jacob, Isaac and Rob Clive to get closer to that over all leader. Ben and Haley put in a good effort this week and are in the fight for top youth, while Top Female is still to close to call. As for the Participation Prize out of 51 different paddlers taking place in at least one Fun Run Race Series event only 10 have made it to all 3 weeks so far. With the busy summer season still a head expect that number to slowly dwindle away over the next 6 weeks. Over All Point Leaders listed below.
1. Zack 15 pts.
3. Jacob 11 pts.
3. Isaac 11 pts.
5. Clivee 9 pts.
5. Farmer 9 pts.
6. Haley 8 pts. (Top Female)
10. Tom 7 pts.
10. Aurn 7 pts.
10. Brett 7 pts.
Hangout and social afterwards with food prepared and cooked by Terry and Lisa with a Jamaica night theme. Very good and going t be hard to top.
Still plenty of paddling and fun to be had with 6 more weeks to come!
